EOIN Brennan and Eskola M won the 1.45m Premier Grand Prix worth €28,200 at the two-star international in Mullingar last Bank Holiday Monday.
Owned by his father Tim, Eskola M is a 15-year-old Dutch-bred stallion by Singapore out of a mare by Mermus R.
He has been a fantastic servant to Eoin; he was his partner on the gold medal-winning team at the 2023 European Junior Championships, as well as notching up several other National and International victories and placings.
Following his win, Eoin said: “This was my first two-star Grand Prix win. The horse is 15 years old, so he knows his job. He is fantastic. He always tries his best for me.
“We got him two years ago, and I have to thank Sean Monaghan and Cian O’Connor for finding us this horse. He is really special.
“He has been fantastic for me. I brought him to the Europeans in Italy last year and we placed sixth individually. Hopefully, we can go to the Europeans again this year.
“I was first to go in both rounds today, so I didn’t get to watch anyone go before me. I had to make my plan before I went in, thankfully it paid off. I have to thank Denis Flannelly for helping me with my plan, I knew my job I just had to execute it.
“There were only six clears in the first round. The first two combinations went clear, so I thought there was going to be a lot more. There only turned out to be six, so it wasn’t too bad.
“I thought I had left something behind me in the jump-off, because I could have been quicker in one or two places, but it worked out well, I’m delighted to win.
“I want to thank Plus Vital for sponsoring the Premier Series and the Fagan family for running another superb show here in Mullingar. Rafael (Suarez) built a great track, challenging but great.
“I’m going to Hagen for the junior Nations Cup there next week, so hopefully that goes well. After that, we will probably follow the Premier Series and get to the next few rounds.”
50 to six
A start list of 50 was reduced to just six for the jump-off against the clock. Mikey Pender and the Marion Hughes-bred HHS Cornetta (Cornet Obolensky x Acorado) just missed out on a place, collecting a single time fault in round one. Tommy Halford and the stallion Greenvale Draco (Dick Z x Voltaire) also just missed out, with a score of two time faults.
Winner of Saturday’s 1.45m Grand Prix, Jessica Burke and African Affair were the fastest four-faulters in round one, and were joined by a further 13 combinations, who missed out with a single fence on the ground.
Brennan set the time as pathfinder in the decider, stopping the clock at 36.75. Tom Wachman riding Coolmore Show- jumping’s Obora’s Laura (Luidam - Non Stop) came closest to catching him in 37.42 for the runner-up spot.
Third place went to James Brennan aboard Sinead Brennan’s MHS Everything (Quidam Junior - Cavalier Royale), bred by Ita Brennan. Their time was 40.42.
Jason Foley and Halo Capital’s stallion Durango VDL (VDL Zirocco Blue - Lux Z) took fourth place as the fastest four-faulter in 36.59.
Cian O’Connor was fifth riding Ronnoco Jump’s Fox Chapel (Calvaro F.C. - Dollar Dela Pierre), while sixth was Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Brendan McSorley’s home-bred stallion Echonix (Aganix du Seigneur - Clover Echo).
Niamh McEvoy and Eoin Brennan are now tied at the top of the Premier Series leaderboard with 10 points apiece after the first two rounds.
The next round takes place in Cavan on June 23rd, with three rounds remaining in Maryville, Balmoral and Tattersalls in July.
Scores from four rounds of the Series in Barnadown, Mullingar, Maryville and Balmoral will count towards earning a place for the top two combinations at the internationals at the Dublin Horse Show 2024.